50-06.3-07. Claims against the estate of recipients or patients

50-06.3-07. Claims against the estate of recipients or patients Claims for fees and expenses charged by the state under this chapter may be filed by the department against the estate of a person liable for the fees and expenses at any time prior to the final distribution of the estate with the same priority as claims of general creditors which are filed against the estates of decedents. Any claim denied or rejected by a personal representative must clearly state, in a written notice to the department, the reason for denial or rejection. Every personal representative, upon the granting of letters of administration or testamentary, shall, at the time that publication of notice to creditors is made, forward to the department a copy of the petition or application commencing probate, heirship proceedings, or joint tenancy tax clearance proceedings in the respective district court, together with a list of the names of the legatees, devisees, surviving joint tenants, and heirs at law of the estate. If no notice is required by the proceedings, the personal representative shall forward to the department a copy of the petition or application commencing the proceedings, together with a list of the names of the legatees, devisees, surviving joint tenants, and heirs at law of the estate. Unless a properly filed claim of the department is paid in full, the personal representative shall provide to the department a statement of assets and disbursements.